Peierls instability in platinum chains on Ge(001)

Description

We have studied the structural and electronic properties of atomic Pt chains on a germanium (001) substrate. Using scanning tunneling microscopy we show that these Pt chains undergo a phase transition from a 2x periodicity at room temperature to a 4x periodicity at low temperatures. The coupling between the atomic chains turns out to be of essential importance, since isolated Pt chains and chains located at the edge of an array of chains maintain their 2x periodicity at temperatures as low as 4.7 K. The 2x to 4x transition is accompanied by an opening of an energy gap and can be interpreted as a Peierls instability.

Period	25 Feb 2008
Event title	DPG Frühjahrstagung 2008 Berlin: (DPG Spring Meeting)
Event type	Conference
Organiser	Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft
Location	Berlin, GermanyShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International